I don't know what to do now. I got my rat-terrier about a month or two ago and I thought I was doing a good job potty training him. Then, school started up again and I had to worry about my semester exams and staying late at school.

The next thing I know, this dog doesn't want to cooperate w/me and he wants to make a mess everywhere he goes. He doesn't even care about peeing his own bed. I caught him this morning as he was doing it and as he laid back down on it. Help?

Besides that, he's been TOO anti-social w/my family. My sister and brother-in-law come over and he will growl at them and pee on himself. And when they try to pet him, he corners himself against me and will almost attempt to bite them. He has bitten my brother-in-law before and I don't want him to do the same to my less than one year old nephew. What can I do? I think I'm going to have to take him to the humane society because I just don't know what else I can do.  Any ideas, suggestions, training tips?

Hey thanks for the reply. I know. I really don't want to give up on him but I just don't know if I'll have enough time. I still don't have a crate yet. I've been planning to for weeks now but I've been caught up in studying and staying at school. How good will buying him a crate and a chew toy work for him? I'm hoping that having toys and chewy food will entertain him for most of the day while I'm gone. Sometimes I'm gone 13 hours just at school.

He's almost 4 months old so I'm not sure how long it'll take him to learn?

EDIT: And yeah, he's seem to have made his own schedule. Looks like he didn't like mine. lol He barks and cries and wakes EVERYONE up at 5 in the morning. He's my alarm clock. It's a shame I can't press a button for him to quite down. And usually when I wake up and go get him to walk him, he's already done his business.

And no, he hardly gets any exercise. What I hate about all of this is that my sister is at home all day and she can't even take him out for a walk or even feed him! My parents aren't of any help either. They say "Well, you wanted a dog so you have to find a way to take care of him!"

I'm not so sure how often she takes him outside or how often she gives him food.

Well sure, I'd love to be able to show up at 12, 4, and 6 PM from school just to take care of him and play but, hah, they haven't invented the teleporters yet.

I also have another dilemma. When I DO take him outside to do his business, he pees a little bit, literally holds it in, and does the rest when he gets inside.

And how long would it take to get him used to peoples, things, noises if I walk him every morning for, like one of y'all suggested, 45 minutes?

EDIT: Well, this week and for the rest of the year, I'll be able to come home at 2 so I'll have plenty of time for him. I really don't want to give him up but I also don't want to be unfair with him.

And also, the reason I came to this website is because I know that if I ever had to give him up, that somebody from this site would gladly take him and care for him like if it were their own blood relative.

Amen!!  I'm so glad you'll have more time.  That is wonderful news and you CAN turn this behavior around. 

We will help you any way we can. 

Thanks, you've been really helpful. I'll definitely be keeping him on a leash and also exercising him in the morning. I'll also try to see if I can check that book out.

And again, thanks.

Shannon's right, he probably doesn't understand what going outside is for, make sure you say your word for going outside (pee pee, potty, etc) and give him a treat EVERY time he potties outside and praise him (he's gorgeous by the way). 

I am in Houston, TX... If you end of needing a home please let me know. I might be able ot help you out and take him in. Crates do work wonders, they will only potty in there once or twice and then learn there lesson.

Toys also are a great thing; a good bone while your gone and something soft and warm to lay on. I work 8-5 and go to school at night but I go home everyday for lunch and play for an hour , then before school - sometimes dropping her off at her grandmas to play, then when I get home I play ball for atleast another hour.

Potty pads are also great, start wherever he pottys most and work your way to the front door.

Please let me know if you need anything.